It’s always fun to try new soaping techniques, but it can also be valuable to revisit the basics. The past week I shared two tutorials perfect for the beginner soaper as part if the Back to Basic series. If you have never made cold process before, the first tutorial in this series, Simple & Gentle Cold Process Soap, is the perfect place to start. Be on the lookout next week for tutorials of the purple and blue soaps below. This series also includes the Back to Basics Kit which includes all the ingredients (except lye) you need to create the four projects!
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Facebook and Instagram Photo of the Week (July 18th ~ 24th)
There are many factors to consider when making cold process soap. This week and next week will focus on the basics of soap making. One of the most important parts is safety. When working with sodium hydroxide lye, it is important to wear safety gear like goggles, gloves and long sleeves. With the correct precautions, soaping is a safe process. Learn more in the Back to Basics: Lye Safety Guide.
Soapy Social Media Roundup
Happy weekend everybody! As you can tell from our Snapchat feed (user name: bramble-berry), the kiddos and I enjoyed a morning throwing rocks on the beach. We feel so lucky to leave in town with access to the water. I hope you enjoyed the fun Summer of Love projects that were on the blog this week. These projects included the Groovy Peace Sign Melt and Pour, Psychedelic Spin Swirl Cold Process and the Tie-Dye Bath Bombs. All three projects featured bright colors and groovy scents including the new Flower Child Fragrance Oil. This new scent is a complex blend of floral, patchouli, vanilla and musk that does not discolor. It’s a new office favorite! For more crafty project ideas, check out my favorite pins, tweet and ‘grams below!
Facebook and Instagram Photo of the Week (July 11th ~ 17th)
This week was all about the 1960’s, with inspired tutorials like the Groovy Peace Sign Melt and Pour Tutorial. The Peace Mold is iconic and creates an unforgettable bar of soap that symbolizes peace and love. The swirled effect is achieved with LabColors dropped into the mold before the soap is poured. The soap is scented with Flower Child Fragrance Oil.
The Basic 12 LabColors used in the tutorial are 25% off until midnight tonight! Just use the code: BASICLAB at checkout.
Soapy Social Media Roundup
Happy weekend everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July. Ours was full sunshine, good food and a few fireworks. Below is my adorable niece Alise celebrating the holiday with lots of red, white and blue. =) The weather continues to be sunny and warm in the Pacific Northwest. The sky is also a little hazy from the wildfires in Canada and Eastern Washington.
Be on the lookout next week for a series of tutorials inspired by the psychedelic 60’s. The projects include lots of bright colors and groovy scents. In the meantime, here are my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams from the past week!
Left to right, clockwise:
- I’m usually not a huge coffee drinker, but I do love the flavor. This decadent Double Coffee Affogato recipe looks like a great way to enjoy coffee during hot temperatures.
- The swirled embeds within this World in My Soap cold process created by The Sirona Springs look absolutely beautiful! The embeds were dusted in mica to give them dark and crisp edges.
- If you’re looking for a guilt-free dessert options, these Healthy Banana Quinoa Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting fit the bill.
- I’m blown away by the intricate swirls within this Black and Red Spiral Swirl Soap. It reminds me of a kaleidoscope!
Instagram:
My new book is scheduled for early 2016, and I have been busy editing for the past few weeks. The book is all about natural soapmaking with essential oils and natural colorants. It has been such a labor of love, and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it!
On the left is the first attempt at a cold process soap inspired by the Swiss Alps. Overall I love the look, but I think I can improve on it. Sometimes a soapy project takes a few tries! On the right is the most recent melt and pour tutorial, the Thai Tea Melt and Pour Bars. Melt and pour soap is swirled to create the look of creamy milk and tea.
Twitter:
- This Beauty Advice for my Daughter blog post by Cupcakes and Cashmere really hits home for me. As Lily grows older, I need to remind myself to act confidently and not criticize my body.
- If you like making tallow soap, check out this Mahogany Tallow Soap Tutorial on the Otion Soap Bar blog. It’s made with the manly Mahogany Fragrance Oil, and features a unique color palette.
- This year I am making an effort to make my garden bee-friendly. Click here for tips on how to welcome bees into your garden.
- Speaking of bees, this TED Talk reveals four reasons why they are disappearing. It’s a must watch.
- Instagram is one of my favorite social media outlets. This Indie Business Network article is full of great tips on how to create profitable partnerships on Instagram.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.
Facebook and Instagram Photo of the Week (July 4th ~ 10th)
This week was all about experimenting with soapy techniques. In the Thai Tea Melt and Pour Tutorial, a melt and pour swirl technique is used to mimic cream mixing into tea. Thai tea is black tea mixed with spices and topped with some sort of cream, like coconut milk. For an authentic smell, the soap has a blend of Black Tea Fragrance Oil, Burnt Sugar Fragrance Oil and Coconut Cream Fragrance Oil.
Facebook and Instagram Photo of the Week (June 27th ~ July 3rd)
Happy almost 4th of July everyone! If you’re looking for a little crafty inspiration during the long holiday weekend, you’ll love the Argan and Ginseng Gel Eye Serum video on Soap Queen TV. The serum has argan oil, jojoba oil and ginseng extract, which help moisturize your skin. Bonus, it doubles as a makeup remover.
Facebook and Instagram Photo of the Week (June 20th ~ 26th)
The African-inspired tutorials continued this week with the Animal Print Melt and Pour Bars Tutorial. The Animal Print Tray Mold is used to create an alligator, zebra and leopard design in the bars. The colors are complemented by sultry and creamy Sandalwood Vanilla Fragrance Oil.
From now until June 27th, receive 25% off a selection of products used in the tutorials. Use coupon code SAFARIMADE at checkout. To see the full collection of Handmade Safari sale items, click here.
Facebook and Instagram Photo of the Week (June 13th ~ 19th)
With vibrant colors and wild animals, Africa is full of crafting inspiration. This week featured several Africa-inspired projects, including the Whipped Amber Bronzing Butter. The butter gets its fluffy and moisturizing texture from three butters, including coffee butter. It has Copper Sparkle Mica, which adds shimmer and a slight tint to skin. Amber and Ancient Sedona Fragrance Oil are added for a warm scent.
From now until June 27th, receive 25% off a selection of products used in the tutorials. Use coupon code SAFARIMADE at checkout. To see the full collection of Handmade Safari sale items, click here.
Soapy Social Media Roundup
Happy weekend everybody! This weekend I’m in Alabama for the 17th Annual Alabama Soap Meeting. I’m here to give two talks, one about alternative liquids in soapmaking and the other about building your social media presence. So far the conference has been a blast! It’s always wonderful to connect with fellow soapers in person. If you happen to be at the conference, please don’t be shy! I love chatting with soapers =) Below, Lela Barker of Lucky Break Consulting. Jen Mark and I pose for a photo at the conference.
If you’re in a need of a little inspiration, check out my favorite pins, tweet and ‘grams below!
Pinterest:
Left to top right, clockwise:
- This Pastel Meringue Dream Cake made by Sweetapolita is a showstopper! It reminds me of Willy Wonka =)
- I would almost feel bad for eating these gorgeous Homemade Watercolor Cookies. The effect is achieved by mixing gel food coloring with extract.
- The mica dusting on this Peacock Soap by The Charming Frog is gorgeous. The purple, green and gold look perfect together.
- Have you tried the Spin Swirl technique yet? I did once, but would like to give it another go to get it just right. This Spin Swirl Soap by Tattoos & Thread turned out great!
Instagram:
It has been so incredibly beautiful in the Pacific Northwest the past few weeks, with temperatures between 70-80 degrees. It’s been so nice to take my reading outside and run around with Lily and Jamisen in the yard =)
Next week, get ready for a series of tutorials inspired by Africa. Below on the left is a layered Sahara Sunset Cold Process soap with a melt and pour embed. On the right, is a Lace Cold Process soap inspired by the gorgeous lacy creations of Auntie Clara’s Handcrafted Cosmetics. Lookout for these tutorials soon!
Twitter:
- Selling your products online is a great way to reach a wide customer base. These 9 Tips to Make Your Ecommerce Business Wildly Successful are on point.
- Ready for some closet-envy? Check out the stunning closet of Sophia Webster, including the mini-closet of her daughter, Bibi Webster. It’s simply gorgeous!
- Click here to watch an important TED Talk about why the bees are disappearing and how we can’t prevent it.
- Most people are told all their lives to “follow their passion.” But is that realistic?
- This article by Kenna of Modern Soapmaking does a great job of outlining the common cosmetic labeling mistakes, and how to prevent them.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and don’t forget…Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.
Facebook and Instagram Photo of the Week (June 6th ~ 12th)
Warm weather is perfect for outdoor activities, like swimming and gardening. After a long day of fun in the sun, it’s nice to relax. The Aloe Bubble Bath Bombs are a great way to unwind. They create big bubbles with the addition of SLSA, and soothing properties from aloe extract. The fizzies get a fresh and sweet scent from Basmati Rice and Kentish Rain Fragrance Oil.
Soapy Social Media Roundup
This weekend the Pacific Northwest is experiencing a heat wave with temperatures of almost 80 ° F! I’m sure that doesn’t seem very hot to many of you…but anything over 70 ° F is pretty hot for us =) I’m doing my best to keep the kiddos cool while still enjoying the sun. It might be time to break out the sprinkler, water balloons and lots of sunscreen.
Above, Lily enjoys the new doll house she received for her birthday (thanks Grandma and Grandpa Faiola). It’s so cute to watch her interact with it as she moves around furniture and plays pretend with the rabbit inhabitants. As you can see all our inside activities are being moved outside. We may have to make some soap outside soon =) If you’re in need of some crafty inspiration for your weekend, check out my favorite tweets, pins and ‘grams below.
Pinterest:
Top left to right, clockwise:
- This gorgeous floral swirled soap featured in Saponifier Magazine Design Contest, is amazing! I would love to try this technique.
- Now that the sun is out, it’s officially popsicle season! These Watermelon, Lime and Hibiscus Ice Pops look delicious.
- Amys_Chooks on Instagram recreated the Sea Clay Swirl Cold Process and it looks beautiful! Awesome job =)
- Part of the fun of moving into a new home after losing half of our furniture is getting to redecorate a little! I would love to add this Fleur Upholstered Chair in “Perky Garden” to my living room.
Instagram:
Get ready for tutorials inspired by Africa coming in the next few weeks! This leopard print cold process soap uses this technique, and I can’t wait to share it with you! Jamisen has been studying the African continent in school this month and just yesterday he saw the ferry that goes from to Alaska (but docks in Bellingham) and told me, in no uncertain terms, that the ferry was on its way to Africa via the Indian Ocean. It’s such a crazy science experiment to watch the kids grow up and see how their minds expand with every new concept they’re introduced to.
On the left is another Africa inspired project made with the new Tray Animal Prints mold. With so many exfoliant options, it can be hard to choose. Click here to learn all about exfoliants and which one is right for you.
- I love this fun Homemade Minecraft Creep Soap created by Simplistically Living. The bright green looks awesome against the black!
- Being skinny doesn’t mean you’re healthy. Click here to learn of the hidden dangers of “skinny fat.”
- When did being a good parent mean becoming a master hobbyist? Thanks to Pinterest, it can certainly feel that way.
- If you’re looking for a little business inspiration in the form of a success story, look no further than The Cambridge Satchel Company. Julie Deane started the company on her kitchen table and now it brings in more than $21 million a year.
- Big changes are coming to Instagram, with buy buttons, interest targeting and more.
I hope you all have an fantastic weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.
Facebook and Instagram Photo of the Week (May 30th ~ June 5th)
Exfoliants help scrub away dirt and dead skin, leaving your skin feeling fresh and smooth. Bramble Berry carries a variety of exfoliants, such as colloidal oatmeal, shredded loofah and cranberry seeds. What exfoliant you choose for your recipe depends on personal preference. Learn more about which exfoliant is right for you in the All About Exfoliants post.
Soapy Social Media Roundup
Happy weekend =) Today the family and I are busy getting everything sorted into our new home. There is still a lot of work to do, but it’s slowly coming together. Last weekend was Lily’s 2nd birthday (post on that tomorrow), and it was great to start filling the new house with family memories.
In soapy news, the winners of this month’s Great Cakes Soapworks Challenge were announced. Bramble Berry gave the grand prize winners $100 each, and new fragrance oils for the runners up. Below is the grand prize winning soap, made by Teressa of Nourishing Handmade Body Care. I was blown away by the detail in these adorable mini dessert soaps. It’s hard to believe they are not edible! If you’re looking for more soapy inspiration, check out my favorite tweets, pins and ‘grams from the past week.
Left to right, clockwise:
- I love the fresh green color of this Cucumber Aloe Vera Soap by Riens Hnadmade Soap. The textured top makes it look so creamy!
- These Easy Refrigerator Dill Pickles look awesome. I love adding pickles to salads, or having them for snack.
- Francois et Moi made this beautiful Pull Down Style Botanical Wall Hanging out of wrapping paper. It looks so professional, chic and classy.
- Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite veggies. This Pesto Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Roasted Brussels Sprouts looks right up my alley.
Instagram:
On Thursday, the tutorial for this American Flag soap went out via the Bramble Berry Newsletter. It took three tries until I was happy with the final soap…those layers were tricky! Click here to sign up for the newsletter to receive exclusive tutorials and information about new products and upcoming sales.
I made these lavender and lemongrass hot process bars for Soap Queen TV last week, and have been using them non-stop since. I can’t wait for you to see the video. On the right, Jamisen “helped” me make butterscotch cupcakes for Lily’s birthday. Look for the recipe tomorrow =)
Twitter:
- Facebook’s new “Critics’ Reviews,” will allow reviews on select restaurant pages in the US. I wonder how this will affect Yelp in the future.
- Speaking of food, this oatmeal hack could totally change your breakfast.
- This list of 25 Businesses You Can Start for Less than $100 is incredibly interesting. Also, soap making made the list!
- Contouring with face makeup seems to be all the rage right now. If you don’t have an hour for makeup in the morning, this 1-minute Contour Look is helpful.
- I don’t have a TV in my house, and this list of 10 Reasons You Should Stop Watching TV reaffirms my decision.
I hope you all have an fantastic weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.